Illinois are set to face Wisconsin in the Big Ten tournament quarterfinal. Wisconsin’s coach, Greg Gard, has Illinois guard Keaton Wagler on his mind.
Gard Wary of Wagler
Gard acknowledged Wagler’s capabilities. He admitted he would be up all night thinking about how to contain him. “He’s really good,” Gard said, referring to Wagler, adding, “He’s a terrific player.”
Gard was hesitant to reveal his game plan for limiting Wagler in the Big Ten tournament quarterfinal game. He reasoned that Illinois coach Brad Underwood and his staff might be watching his postgame press conference following Wisconsin’s tournament win against Washington.
Wagler’s Previous Performance
Wagler, the eventual Big Ten Freshman of the Year, scored a game-high 34 points when Illinois hosted Wisconsin last month in Champaign. That total included 23 points in the second half and overtime. Wagler’s efforts weren’t enough to secure a win for Illinois in that regular season meeting at State Farm Center, however, as Wisconsin won 92-90 in overtime, despite Illinois being shorthanded with Kylan Boswell and Andrej Stojakovic sidelined.
Wisconsin’s Guard Play
Austin Rapp hit some crucial late three-pointers for the Badgers in their previous match with Illinois, but 49 combined points from Nick Boyd and John Blackwell proved the difference maker. 33 of those points came in the second half and overtime.
Boyd and Blackwell teamed up for 57 points against Washington. Blackwell had 34 points and 10 rebounds, while Boyd had 23 points and nine assists. Gard praised his guards after the win against Washington, stating, “Guard play is vital, and I’ve got two of the better ones in the country.”
The quarterfinal will test Illinois’ defence against Wisconsin’s in-form guards.